Tummy Tuck
in Scottsdale

A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the stomach area. During the operation, excess skin and fat are removed from the middle and lower belly to tighten the muscles and fascia of the abdominal wall. The surgeon may also reposition the belly button and eliminate some stretch marks. A regular tummy tuck usually takes 2–5 hours to perform, and the result is a flatter, firmer, more youthful abdomen.

Dr. Mata also repairs diastasis recti (stretched abdominal muscles) during tummy tuck operations. This condition is most often caused by pregnancy or major weight loss or gain, and means the belly sticks out because the abdominal muscles have widened. A tummy tuck is one of the best ways to fix this — Dr. Mata uses sutures to tighten the muscles back together and make the belly look firm and youthful.

Full Tummy Tuck — The traditional and most common type of abdominoplasty. The surgeon makes a horizontal incision just above the pubic area, removes excess fat and loose skin from the middle and lower abdomen, and tightens the abdominal muscles. Best for patients with loose skin or stubborn fat pockets after pregnancy or significant weight loss.

Extended Tummy Tuck — An option for patients with significant sagging or stubborn fat in the abdomen and flanks (love handles). It uses a longer incision that extends beyond the hip to the lower back, reshaping a much larger surface area. Recovery time is usually longer than a full tummy tuck.

Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck — For patients who need dramatic reshaping and tightening above and below the navel due to severe sagging. Combines the traditional horizontal incision with a vertical incision down the middle of the abdomen, allowing tightening in both directions. One of the most invasive forms of body contouring, but highly effective.

Mini Tummy Tuck — A partial abdominoplasty for patients with mild sagging in the lower abdomen, below the belly button. Uses a shorter horizontal incision and targets only the lower belly. Because it's less invasive, recovery is typically faster than a full procedure.

Many patients who have a tummy tuck also choose to add liposuction. It helps refine and contour areas the tummy tuck itself can't fully address, such as the back and thighs, and allows Dr. Mata to sculpt the figure more comprehensively. Recovery may involve more swelling, bruising, and soreness — but the symptoms subside within a few weeks, leaving the body more toned.

For comprehensive post-pregnancy restoration, the tummy tuck is often performed as part of a Mommy Makeover combining abdominoplasty with breast and other procedures in a single surgical session.

Anesthesia — On the day of surgery, the patient is brought to the operating room and connected to monitoring devices that track vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels). Anesthesia starts with an intravenous (IV) medication to maximize comfort and prevent pain during the procedure.

Incisions — In a full tummy tuck, the surgeon makes a horizontal incision just above the pubic area, plus a circular incision around the belly button to free it from the surrounding skin. These incisions allow the doctor to access the abdominal muscles and fat. The length of the cut depends on the extent of correction needed. A mini tummy tuck requires a shorter horizontal incision, and the belly button is not repositioned.

Muscle Tightening — Through the lower incision, the surgeon uses sutures to repair the abdominal muscles, making the belly look flatter. This is what reduces the post-pregnancy "pooch" caused by diastasis recti.

Skin Removal — Excess skin is trimmed away from the lower and upper abdomen. Sometimes a second incision is made around the back to address loose skin on the flanks.

No-Drain Closure — Progressive tension sutures close the gap between the abdominal wall and tissue, preventing fluid build-up so surgical drains aren't needed. The belly button is repositioned through the circular incision, and incisions are closed with sutures, possibly with tape or glue.